A woodblock print of Tomoe Gozen in battle.

Memorial to Tomoe at Gichū-ji, Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture

Tomoe Gozen (巴 御前, Tomoe Gozen^?) (1161?–1184?) was one of the few examples of a true female samurai in all of Japanese history. She was a samurai during the time of the Genpei War (1180–1185 AD). Her name is pronounced "toh-moh-eh", and is translated as "perfect circle". Image File history File links A woodblock print of Tomoe Gozen in battle. ... Image File history File links A woodblock print of Tomoe Gozen in battle. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1000x1500, 439 KB) Summary Tomoe-zuka, a memorial to en:Tomoe Gozen at Gichu-ji, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1000x1500, 439 KB) Summary Tomoe-zuka, a memorial to en:Tomoe Gozen at Gichu-ji, Otsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. ... From Otsu, the Michigan paddlewheel boat offers cruises on Lake Biwa. ... Shiga Prefecture from outer space. ... Events Bartholomew Iscanus becomes Bishop of Exeter. ... // Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ... An onna bugeisha (女武芸者) was a female samurai in medieval Japan. ... The written history of Japan began with brief appearances in Chinese history texts from the first century CE. However, archaeological research indicates that people were living on the islands of Japan as early as the upper paleolithic period. ... The Genpei or Gempei War (源平合戦、寿永・治承の乱) (1180-1185) was a war of ancient Japan, fought between the Taira and Minamoto clans. ... Events April 13 - Frederick Barbarossa issues the Gelnhausen Charter November 18 - France Emperor Antoku succeds Emperor Takakura as emperor of Japan Afonso I of Portugal is taken prisoner by Ferdinand II of Leon Artois is annexed by France Prince Mochihito amasses a large army and instigates the Genpei War between... Events April 25 - Genpei War - Naval battle of Dan-no-ura leads to Minamoto victory in Japan Templars settle in London and begin the building of New Temple Church End of the Heian Period and beginning of the Kamakura period in Japan. ...

Most of our knowledge about Tomoe Gozen comes from tales and legends. Depending on the source, Tomoe Gozen was either the wife, concubine (mistress), or female attendant of prominent daimyo Minamoto no Yoshinaka. Many women of the time knew how to use the naginata to defend their home, and there are tales of female ashigaru, but Tomoe Gozen was a high-level samurai, skilled in riding, archery and kenjutsu. She was said to have been fearless and possessing great skill in combat. Fiercely brave and tirelessly loyal to Yoshinaka, she was one of his senior captains during the war, leading his troops, and accompanying him to every battle. She was well respected by men and fought bravely alongside them. In the Heike Monogatari (Tale of the Heike), Tomoe is described: // For other senses of this word, see Legend (disambiguation). ... A swampy marsh area ... Daimyo Matsudaira Katamori visits the residence of a retainer. ... Minamoto no Yoshinaka )(1154-1184) was a general of the late Heian Period of Japanese history. ... Naginata of the Edo era A samurai wielding a naginata Naginata (なぎなた, 長刀 or 薙刀) is a pole weapon traditionally used by Japanese samurai. ... The Japanese Ashigaru (足軽) were foot-soldiers of medieval Japan. ... In the British Isles since Anglo-Saxon times, a riding is traditionally a sub-division (especially in three) of a county, in Australia analogous. ... These arrows score as an inner 10, and a 9 Archery is the practice of using a bow to shoot arrows. ... Kenjutsu ) (Lit. ... The Tale of the Heike (Japanese 平家物語, Heike monogatari) is an epic account of the struggle between the Minamoto and Taira clans for control of Japan at the end of the 12th century. ...

Tomoe was especially beautiful, with white skin, long hair, and charming features. She was also a remarkably strong archer, and as a swordswoman she was a warrior worth a thousand, ready to confront a demon or a god, mounted or on foot. She handled unbroken horses with superb skill; she rode unscathed down perilous descents. Whenever a battle was imminent, Yoshinaka sent her out as his first captain, equipped with strong armor, an oversized sword, and a might bow; and she performed more deeds of valor than any of his other warriors.

—Tale of the Heike, McCullough, page 291.

After defeating the Heike and driving them into the western provinces, Yoshinaka took Kyoto and desired to be the leader of the Minamoto clan. His cousin Minamoto no Yoritomo was prompted to crush Yoshinaka, and sent his brothers Minamoto no Yoshitsune and Minamoto no Noriyori to kill him. Yoshinaka fought Yoritomo's forces at the Battle of Awazu on February 21, 1184, where it has been said that Tomoe Gozen took at least one head of the enemy. Although Yoshinaka's troops fought bravely, they were outnumbered and overwhelmed. When Yoshinaka was defeated there, with only a few of his soldiers standing, he told Tomoe Gozen to flee instead of facing death by Yoritomo. Seiryoji, a temple in Kyoto, was once a villa of Minamoto no Toru (d. ... Minamoto no Yoritomo (Japanese: 源頼朝) (May 9, 1147 – February 9, 1199) was the founder and the first shogun of the Kamakura Shogunate of Japan, who ruled from 1192 until 1199. ... Yoshitsune by Kikuchi Yosai Yoshitsune and Benkei Viewing Cherry Blossoms, by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka , Minamoto no Yoshitsune (源 義経) (1159 – June 15, 1189) was a general of the Minamoto clan of Japan in the late Heian and early Kamakura period. ... Grave of Minamoto no Noriyori, Shuzenji (present-day Izu), Shizuoka Prefecture Minamoto no Noriyori )(1156-1193) was a late Heian period general, who fought alongside his brothers Minamoto no Yoritomo and Minamoto no Yoshitsune at a number of battles of the Genpei War. ... Continuing to flee from his cousins armies after attacking Kyoto, burning the Hojujiden, and kidnapping the Emperor, Minamoto no Yoshinaka made his final stand at Awazu. ... February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... // Events Abbeville receives its commercial charter. ...

There are varied accounts of what followed. One is that she stayed by his side, fought and died. Another says that she was seen fleeing the field with either the head of Yoshinaka or of an enemy samurai. Afterwards there is even more uncertainty. Some say that she cast herself into the ocean with the head, while others say that after surviving the battle she gave up the sword and became a nun. These different stories are what give the story of Tomoe Gozen its intrigue. Nun in cloister, 1930; photograph by Doris Ulmann In general, a nun is a female ascetic who chooses to voluntarily leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent. ...

Since her time, Tomoe Gozen has cast a spell of mystery over the Japanese people. Because she was so unusual, some believed she was the reincarnation of a river goddess.

Tomoe in the media

Tomoe as portrayed by Eiko Koike in NHK's 2005 drama, Yoshitsune.

Her first appearance in literature is of course in the Heike Monogatari. She has been written about by factual and fictional authors alike, and has been incarnated as characters in various anime. In the 2005 NHK taiga drama Yoshitsune, Tomoe Gozen was one of the main characters. The version of the legend they chose was that she was Yoshinaka's concubine and that she fled the battlefield. In the series, she also had two foster brothers, was the aunt of Yoshinaka's wife, and was the surrogate mother of his son Yoshitaka. She was portrayed by actress and model Eiko Koike. Image File history File links Tomoe as portrayed by Eiko Koike in NHKs 2005 drama, Yoshitsune. ... Image File history File links Tomoe as portrayed by Eiko Koike in NHKs 2005 drama, Yoshitsune. ... // A scene from Cowboy Bebop (1998) Anime ) is a medium of animation originating in Japan, with distinctive character and background aesthetics that visually set it apart from other forms of animation. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... NHK (日本放送協会, Nippon Hōsō Kyōkai), or the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, is Japans public broadcaster. ... Taiga drama (大河ドラマ) is the name NHK gives to the annual, year-long historical fiction television series it broadcasts in Japan. ... Eiko Koike on the cover of G-taste DVD Eiko Koike (小池栄子 Koike Eiko, born November 20, 1980 in Tokyo) is a Japanese idol. ...

Jessica Amanda Salmonson wrote "The Tomoe Gozen Saga", a trilogy of fantasy novels respectively titled Tomoe Gozen, The Golden Naginata, and Thousand Shrine Warrior. The first was reissued in a corrected and revised edition as The Disfavored Hero. [1] A trilogy is a set of three works of art, usually literature or film, that develop a single theme over three works. ... // For other meanings see Fantasy (disambiguation) Fantasy is a genre of art, literature, film, television, games and music that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of either plot, theme, setting, or all three. ... Daniel Defoes Robinson Crusoe; title page of 1719 newspaper edition A novel (from French nouvelle Italian novella, new) is an extended fictional narrative in prose. ...

Saisei, one of the Mibu Five Stars in the manga Samurai Deeper Kyo, turned out to be the resurrected Tomoe Gozen. She is accurately portrayed, wearing beautiful armor and being highly skilled with her naginata. For other uses, see Manga (disambiguation). ...

In the comic book, Usagi Yojimbo, a major supporting character and a fan favourite is Tomoe Ame, a female samurai loosely based on Tomoe Gozen. A comic book is a magazine or book containing the art form of comics. ... Usagi Yojimbo book 11: Seasons Usagi Yojimbo (Literally Rabbit Bodyguard, can be written うさぎ用心棒 or 兎用心棒 Usagi Yojimbo) is a comic book series created by Stan Sakai. ... A character of a book, play, movie, TV show or other form of storytelling usually used only to give dimension to a main character, by adding a relationship with this character, although sometimes supporting characters may develop a complexity of their own. ... Tomoe Ame is an important supporting character in the furry comic book, Usagi Yojimbo. ...

"Gozen"

The title "gozen" is not a surname. Instead it is an honorific applied mostly to women, but sometimes also men. Many translators render it as "Lady". Unfortunately, Tomoe's surname is unknown.

References

• Bella Online
• Famous Women of Japanese History
• Samurai Warriors: Miyamoto Musashi and Tomoe Gozen
• (Japanese) Modes of Address
• Woodblock print of Tomoe Gozen in battle

McCullough, Helen Craig (translator). The Tale of the Heike. Palo Alto, California: Stanford University Press, 1988. ISBN 0804714185, ISBN 0804718032.

External links

• Tomoe Gozen fanlisting